毙 (bì) - to die & to kill

毙Tone 4

bì ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

毙 · bì

to die;

to kill;

to perish;

to be destroyed;

to collapse;

to fail

to dieto killto perish

Usage highlights

execute by shootinggo bankruptmeet one's deathdie on the spotcollapse and diekill with a single shot

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 生— to live; to be born
  • 活— to live; alive
  • 救— to save; to rescue

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The criminal was executed by shooting (枪毙).
  • The company went bankrupt (倒闭).
  • The plan failed completely (彻底毙命).
  • He was killed in the accident (在事故中毙命).

Collocations

  • execute by shooting(枪毙)
  • go bankrupt(倒闭)
  • meet one's death(毙命)
  • die on the spot(当场毙命)
  • collapse and die(倒毙)
  • kill with a single shot(一枪毙命)

Idioms

  • To die like a dog(束手待毙)
  • To sit and wait for death(坐以待毙)
  • To drive to destruction(自毙)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant 'to fall forward' or 'collapse', later extended to mean death or destruction.
  • Often used in legal and military contexts to describe execution or death in battle.
  • Considered a strong, definitive term for death, not used lightly in polite conversation.

FAQ